“They do what they do, and we do what we do.” His dad had turned away from the windows and was now at the cash register, opening the till. “That’s how it is, and that’s how it will always be. They don’t need your help, anyway.”

“Isn’t it time for this nonsense to end?” Leo should have controlled the edge in his voice. And he shouldn’t have used that word because his dad had picked right up on it.

“Nonsense?” he exclaimed. “That family has been trouble ever since their ancestor tried to stiff your great-great-grandfather for money. Fortunately, Guido got away from those crafty, scheming Montgomerys before it was too late.”

“You can’t judge the whole family on one ancestor.” Besides, his mom had told him once that maybe Guido wasn’t the angel he was made out to be.

“Oh, yes I can.” His dad waggled a finger. “My grandfather vowed never to speak with them and it would be sacrilege not to respect his wishes.”

“Almost a hundred years later?” Leo fisted his hands as he watched the three women unloading the boxes, which probably contained flour and sugar and other heavy baking supplies. He held back only because it soon became clear that the women could handle the load without him—that they’d been hauling baking supplies for generations. And out of respect for his father.

But still, he vowed, this feud was going to end. It was ridiculous.

Outside the window, Tessa was chattering, carrying three boxes at a time, while her grandmother and mother, each carrying one, laughed at something she was saying. The old driver sat down on a bench between the two shops and lit a cigarette.

Nothing much here had changed. And his dad was just as stubborn as ever. Maybe coming back home was a terrible idea. Maybe Leo was wrong to think he could not only save this business but, together with his dad, make it something…wonderful.

Then he thought of his mom. She was sweet yet smart, and she could keep his dad in line. Often with a smile. “I just got back to town, Dad,” Leo said, approaching his father. “You’ve got to give me some time. To trust me a little.” The things he could do with this place if only his father would loosen the reins…

But his dad shook his head. “You’re going to make all these changes and then go back to your fancy-schmancy corporation.”